Wednesday, December 31, 2008

My Experiments with WordPress

I had never dreamt of working with WordPress. But yeah, you should know not all dreams happen. Humm, I had been working with WP for now more than a months. I was surprised myself when it ranked as one of the popular sites that I visit. Well, this is not a post to compare WordPress with a superior blogging platform like blogger. Just an review in my terms. There were different kinds of users whom I have observed during this experiment (Experienced to Rookie).

Home Page: Why do I need so many things squeezed into one front page. Hot VIP posts, Hot community post, Recommended page and universal tag. I was for a second confused if it was my home page. Cross verified when I saw a small text saying "Welcome back Vijesh".

WordPress is against the policy of "One Click", you at least need two clicks to do any action in WordPress. Only thing that works on one click is to view your blog. That's interesting.

The WYSWYG editor is neat and comprehensive. Few things that stand out are Full screen editing mode (One can always disguise his manager like typing on a editor.), Insert Custom Symbol with a Character map and easy upload of Media varying from image, audio and video. Also an 3GB storage limit is impressive to start with.

Stats: That's a good thing to have inside one's blogger portal. An automatic stats collector is good for beginners to know about it. Also the stats are cheap and simple. Not even near to other powerful stats engine. Anything for free is welcomed.

Privacy and comment moderation: Its usual stuff here were you can hide the blog from search engine and invite users to your blog. But roles like Contributor, Editor and Author are confusing. I wish they define each role in a tool tip. Since I don have time for twenty questions or patience to read the help. Comment moderation has become an important setting with most bloggers. The interface to moderate comment was cool in WordPress. (I loved clicking those 13 moderated comments, It was fun.)

Pages and Category: I got to accept this, Pages is one big feature I miss in Blogger. Its easy to add pages in WordPress. Did not experiment much on them. Category is good to organise the tags. But any real time purpose of it. I can't think of many.

Themes and Custom Header: Too many Thames to select from. When choices increase trouble increase. Custom Header was easy to make and change. It was specifically said the dimension the header has to be so that no cropping or re size is done. Good word there.

But over all on any good day or network, WordPress is heavy and slow. Its not a piece of cake for my Dad or Mom. I wont recommend it for beginners. Either you live in Ireland or India try hard its still not like my love. Now its all said and done, I can sit back and relax...

Here are some of the user testimonials,
- aree whats happening, why is it reacting like this?
- hey wait, be patient and why do you want to click on that so many times.
- Now, what to do?
- Where is it?
- Sorry, I was not able to create a login!

Update: I did not try feature of password protected post. :P Ah! How did I miss that, or rather what will I do doing that.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

A movie review

Technically its a half movie review, Since I entered the theater at half time. I never spoke about why I was late. Its a movie about Dad and his Daughter. The whole movie is a narration by a Dad of how he lived with his Daughter and how he got her married to the guy whom she loved. A typical cottage family in Ooty where the Daughter (trisha) is born and brought up there. Dad (Prakash Raj) is a father who has love for his daughter. The first half of the movie shows how they both share the life together. The adopting a begger at thier home since she liked that guy. Taking her Dad to the center of the lake on a full moon day and celebrate his birthday. Making each others small wishes come true.

The second half of the movie is the phase were trisha tells her love to her parents and marry the guy she loved. Until he gets his Daughter married, Prakash Raj gets butterflies in his stomach. Its every Dad's emotions to get their children married to a nice family. Since the daughter will move away from their home. Also the funny part in the movie is the guy she loves is a Punjabi. Its different tradition, different language, its different food & clothing. Its hilariously portrait how her Dad adopts to the new family and feels the trust of the guy.

Bad Things: Too many senti dialogue!

I would give it a 5 out of 10.

Friday, December 26, 2008

25/12/2008 and boxing day

Thank You! Thanks for all those calls, those sms, those mails, those comments, those scraps, those flashy color chocolates, those b'day songs, those cakes, those blessings, those wonderful goodies and this post. All have made this birthday beautiful and memorable. Again Thx all.

Humm, Its boxing day now. I got to pack them, pack them all without any spill overs. Also need to wrap them with those big brown packing tapes that it does not open again. (Mom said, Keep them some where safe so that you can see it one day). I smiled away. We don have any spectacular clash of titans in the Premier League fixtures. But still it would be an exicting boxing day, since never under estimate Stroke City. Its half time now, I'm happy for reds performance and we are 7 points behind them. Promising year ahead.

Once again Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

I'm coming mee :)

Life is moving on.. This year again I will be in Coimbatore. Sorry guys! I miss you! also know how much you would miss me, for all those eggs and those just bake cake.. Whats the deal, You are soo good people! But yeah, I badly wanted to go home. I had been missing her smile and warmth. She also misses me double.. He has been the best for ever.. Also dicussing those small titbits with him that I had known months back is also interesting.. My taste buds are almost in the graveyard with those maggi noodles and fruit bowl.. Its time to give them some life.. I din want to disappoint them.. Paati started making her muruku today.. Amma is all exicted about the menu that she wanted to cook.. Dad as usual would have saved the internet usuage of the month for me.. they are all set for a blast.. 

Also will be hosting two other good friends this time at home.. Would be going to Dhiyanalingam again.. Thats it for now.. God bless!! 

Spinning On...
Vijesh

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Delusion...

He...He took an left turn despite telling himself to turn right...He boiled the milk until it touched the floor...He wanted his brush and toothpaste...But why is he searching it in his camera bag...He forgot to wear his non-marking shoes for Badminton...He ask for some music and mute's it himself...He never drove so slow...He entered the wrong restaurant even after reading the name board...He hear those voices talking again and again...His temperature is high, still he wants to go out...He had five tickets for a music concert and missed to go for it...He loved the song and film so much that he started hating it so much now...No Daddy, He did not go to Monkey falls this time or get those big walls or the huge board game in my dream...He never wanted to write this post...All he needs is his vacation...

Friday, December 19, 2008

How to become a Manager?

I thought I will write the bottom up first. Disclamier: The views expressed here are not related to my Employeer or anyone associted with them in anyways. Everything written are just an imagination no where relates to real time. I would not gaurentee if it does so. 

Well, when you write such a post there has to be dicipline and process. So I guess my first post that I'm writing in a OO Writer.

  1. First thing that strikes me hard when I think of this topic is that one should start using Windows to become a Manager, cut that Linux/Command Prompt and source code when he was a developer. 
  2. One should not change the default wallpaper on the machine or laptop they own. Its like the default blue circuit kind IBM laptop wallpaper or the default windows landscape for Windows XP. :)
  3. One should learn to open "notepad" application from Start->Programs->Accessories->Notepad. 
  4. For (3) you should not use the keyboard. Only the mouse is allowed. 
  5. You should start signing a mail from "--Myname" to "Thanks and Regards, MyName"
  6. Inject lot of adverb, adjective, articles in one's mail.
  7. One should stop wearing those torn jean and those one liner t-shirts that say "Do you mind, I don care". 
  8. Start looking at options of brands like Raymonds, Peter England and Indigo Nation.
  9. Start programming using sophiticated IDE like Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
  10. One need to tell the same thing in 'n' different ways. "England lost the first test match to India", "India made a stunning win at the first test match against England".
  11. Finally, stop working and start talking. :)

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Chennai

Well, After 2 long years I came back to Madras city aka Chennai. My last visit was to present a project at a gathering by CII. I still faintly remembered that Tidal park road. This time it happened to be my best planned train travel so far. You know how..

2:40 AM - I don't have any dress pressed. I should go to Santy's place and do it.
3:00 AM - Packing done in a paper bag :).
...
...
8:30 PM - Calling Santy.. I forgot my camera charger bring it.
9:15 PM - Calling Santy again.. Bring my night pant also, I forgot it.
10:15 PM - Calling Santy again.. Bring me a pull over, It would be chill during the travel.
11:15 PM - Still at office, my pickup cab has not yet arrived. (Train at 11:45)
11:45 PM - Reached station..

I should accept it was a different Madras to what I had known and seen. The city has changed a lot. Significant improvement was the Hi tech Chennai Traffic police flying around in their Hyundai Accent. It was a nice sight to watch. One sight that din change is that stopping commuters for checking their License and Insurance papers. It was sorry to watch the police officer stopping vehicles for a check in one lane and the other lane was totally jammed where he should have been at the center to clear it. (Dear Traffic Police Dept: Did you know there is a survey says that enabling device identification in a mobile phone and disabling it when lost will not work out in India. Since it was predicted that around 60% of the mobile that are being used in India are either from the black market or stolen mobiles. Similar way, it applies to vehicles also. Spend your effort on better bigger problem.) In fact saw the Indian cricket team return to their hotel after end of day 3.

29c (Perambur Train Station to Besant Nagar). A travel I enjoyed after a long time. Chennai public transport buses are such a way that Men can sit in RHS of the bus and Ladies can sit on the LHS of the bus. The bus conductor is the only male who is privileged to sit on the LHS. :) It was a long journey from North Chennai to South Chennai. Enjoyed the whole ride in it, esp hanging in the foot board. Just compared to Coimbatore were buses just rally between each other and no guarantee for the person life on foot board. (s29 - Koundampalayam to PSG Tech in 35 mins is just cool, despite stopping in all the stops! Dubai shek will tell tales about this bus) The bus very slow that you can get down have a small walk and get in later. Also loved watching passengers passing money from the font of the bus to rear end asking for a ticket. Interesting travel...

Only thing that scares me of Chennai is the climate. I got to be accept it that I was `Happy` this time. Chennai treated me well this time were I hardly saw the sun and continuous breeze reminded me of my town. Adding to it was the night walk in the beach which was spectacle by the full moon and the glittering water. It was the most beautiful moon I have ever seen. (That night the moon was 30% brighter than usual full moon in 15 years :: read) But how can you go there without a camera. I was an idiot to do it. :-) Ferocious sea and Moon had contradicting nature like the roasted corn and mango we ate.

Finally meet my good old school friend. She has put on lot of weight. You know she calls me and asks, "You write more in your blog than talking to me over phone." She asks where the hell do you get time to write so much nonsense? I know I will blasted now again for writing this. :-) My first travel with no photos!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

02mw02 <3 02mw30

You should interpret that title as `Year` followed by `course code` and followed by `id`. This is how the roll numbers of students would be in PSG Tech. So its 2002 batch (hey I was also the same batch...) MSc software Engineering (yeah, I too graduated with the same degree), 02 thats Arun from my class and 30 that's Shruthi from my class.

Finally the Beauty & Geek decided to lead their life together. This wonderful couple is getting engaged today Dec 14th 2008. I wish them all the blessing and a prosperous beginning ahead. I'm will be present to watch the Bride groom blush and meet all my friends. (Snaps: ASAP) Rather than the usual argument of cutting the hair, this time we agreed on it. Also I have approved a hair cut to Arun this time. He did cut a lot. :)

Best Wishes Arun DK & Shruthi.

Update: Photo Credit Arun Ragh.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

My Letter to Santa

9th December, 
Bangalore. 

Dear Santa, 

Loads of Love and Greetings from me! In spite celebrating my Birthday with Christmas, I have never told you my wish list in this 23 years. May be this year I thought I will.. Hope you have time to read apart from combing your beard and preparing for Christmas. No, I promise I wont make the list running kms, But yeah may be top three. 

  • A Nokia N97. Yeah yeah, I can see you murmuring its not in stores yet. Go to Finland you will have them ready there. 
  • A ticket to Manchester United vs Liverpool at Old Trafford Stadium. 
  •                                                                                        :)

I wrote the third one in invisible ink. Privacy issue santa, I can't help it. :P Also tell me when the Polar Express will stop for me, I don want to miss it this time. Sure will be awake on Christmas eve for it. Take Care, feed those reindeer's and drive your 
 
Happy Christmas!!!
Vijesh


To
Santa Claus,
P.O. Box 56099,
North Pole, 
Alaska 99705-1099.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

After My Death

I remember reading this somewhere. Now that I'm too young to think about it. :) Say, I get married and have kids. I become old and one day will say good bye. After that the beautiful villa I had will be inherited by my daughter. I had thought well and written those papers with those graphics of Ashoka Chakra at the top with clear state of mind & sense. But did I miss something?

What will happen to one's blog after h(is|er) death? Wondering what will happen to this blog after ...? Who will know the key to open the gates of this Secret Garden? Who will maintain it? Who will be my heir for this online mess I have? Is there a law that says someone can? Or will it be shutdown after some dormant period and allow someone to take hsejiv as their blog name. I don't want to. :(

Just in case some one does heir, all I would want you to write a post with one of the photograph's I have taken. Post them on those special days that I would love to remember. One promise I would give is, already I have an archive that would last 2 generations. :)

Tell me: What would you like to do?

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Grany

At 68 she blew her first Birthday candle. Wow! I remember Dec 6th for you.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Win some Lose some

Yay! It was an exiting day when I was shortlisted for the TFN(tourofnilgiris). Yes its official now that I did *not* make it to the last 2. Ah! Did they sneak on the work schedule for the month? Well, congrats to Prashanth @ Random Thoughts (boy he looks like a pro)and Minakshi @ Shilo When I was Young. Would be great that you would be ridding with the TFN team! Happy Blogging folks.

Well, I did win many things.. :)

Wishing all the TFN riders a beautiful ride with the Nature. Hoping to meet you all guys! Best for Everything. May be another time, I will ride with you champs!

Viewfinder..

Day: Friday
Date: Some date in December 2006

It was very early morning for him, when the mobile alarm broke the silence in the room. He never gets up in the first ring, but today he did. It was a special day for all. The light was never turned off. He looked around, he could see all those bottles that were emptied last night lying on the corner and few decks of cards are lying carefree. Tries waking up one of his friend, with the assurance that he will not be on the firing line for such unearthly hours. His friend never responded. Fine! He stood up and walked to the door and trying putting his head out side, "What, already people have started?" Searches for the geyser switch and pulls it down.

Dressed up with thick sandal wood color pant, white shirt tucked in and was pulsating with those strong aroma. Others almost slugged in the room, some recollecting the previous night, some watching SS music. He picked up his Nikon and those bazooka lens kit and asked to latch the door from inside. He was really lit up for the day! Crossing a glass towards the end of the corridor he freezes for a second to do a quick examine of how he looks. A perfect 10 for him. :) "He smiles..." He sailed further. He makes a sudden u-turn, oops! he din pick up his tripod. Rushes back to the room to pick them. The corridor is small and finds it with heavy human traffic of kids running. (guess they were playing police and thief).

The mandapam was walkable. It was still dark and December mist was still in the air. He could see the air cooling once out of him. He loved every moment of it. The faint sound of the temple bells reach him, he remembers his mother saying that its good to hear them when going out. He walks across a bridge and a could feel the chillness of the stream that's running below. At the horizon he could see nature started painting the sky with his yellow. It was a spectacle to watch. He resisted his urge to mount that Nikon to the tripod. Soon he walk passed that bridge.

At the immediate right finds the Elephant God, Pilliyar lit up with bright light. They are yet to arrive there. Soon he murmurs his usual prayer, rings the bell once and walks around the temple once as he does every day a year back. Soon people notice that he has come there. With warm and smiling face those girls in the entrance, welcome him. With a small streak of sandalwood paste he enters. "Oh! Mapilai periya idam pola.." The hall was almost painted in two colors white and khaki. Soon he finds a seat under a fan to dry the few drops of sweat he got from the morning walk.

It was almost time, He was standing on the center pathway with his camera mounted on the tripod. All it was running in his mind was to take few good shots. Still he felt a small uneasiness within him. The guy on the stage with a similar lens annoyed him with what he was trying with. He wanted an alternate view, an alternate angle. Turned around and felt the first floor near the bridegroom room was a perfect setup he was looking for. Din bother to unmount, he carried it there. It was all set now. The priest said, "Ponna kutitu vaango". Entering with two other women holding her hand, she was barely visible. Soon he adjusted his lens to get a nice shot of couple Too many interference and too little time. Clicked few! Soon adjusted the lens to get a close up shot of her. Freezes his lens and ... fell those last drops for her blurring his vision. Recollecting himself of why she left him. People wished the couple with all happiness and 16 children. He shake'd the holy rice from his head and said to himself, "Hey, I'm not the groom today!..."

:: Now, all that's said.. The photo above is a good friend of mine. He is no way related to this narration. All said was just a imagination and anyway close to real people the author does not gives any guarantee. :) ::

Monday, December 1, 2008

Don read this..


Orkut's fortune teller has been so kind on me today! Wondering how lucky I'm. I did say right, don read it. Now that don tell me those consequences. :-)